Rod lock



Feb. 19, 1952 l BOLEK 2,585,993

ROD LOCK Filed Aug. 24, 1946 I'll &

E'-E IIE-E Frank .J flak/4 B @mwiw Patented Feb. 19, 1952 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE ROD LOCK Frank J. Bolek, Chicago, 111.

Application August 24, 1946, Serial No. 692,887

' 4 Claims. (01. 2s7-5s) This invention relates to an improved devicefor locking in relatively adjusted positions a pair of rods havingportions which lie in substantially contiguous parallel relation.

While the invention is adapted for general use, it is especiallyserviceable in connection with adjustable garment stretching frames andthe like, wherein the frame comprises rod sections having relativelyadjustable portions which lie in substantially contiguous parallelrelation.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a lock of theabove kind which is extremely simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, and highly efficient in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the above kindwhich is easy to install and manipulate and which may be readily andeconomically manufactured.

More specific objects and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary elevational view showing parts of the rodsections of an adjustable frame whose substantially contiguous parallelportions are equipped with a lock constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken o line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the lock in releasedposition.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 and B indicate two rod sections ofan adjustable frame, which rod sections respectively have portions I and8 that lie in substantially contiguous parallel relation. The portions 1and 8 are held in parallel relationship but permitted to slide withrespect to each other by guide loops 9 and Ill, the former beingprovided on the end of portion 1 and embracing the portion 8, and thelatter being secured on the end of portion 8 and embracing the portion 1in a well-known manner.

The lock of the present invention, which is adapted to releasably securethe portions 1 and 8 in relatively adjusted positions, comprises arelatively stiff resilient elongated loop H which is preferably formedof a strip of sheet metal and arranged to embrace the rod portions 1 and8.

Loop l I has a major axis which is of such length 3. When the loop is inthe position of Figures, its major axis is in the same plane as thelongitudinal axes of the rod portions! and 8. One side portion l2 of theloop II is extended outwardly to increase the Width of the loop at oneend, so that the rods are released from tight frictional engagement witheach other when said loop is tilted in the direction of the arrow 0 fromthe position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 4. When the loop isin the position of Figure 4, its major axis is at an angle to the planea which intersects the longitudinal axes of the rod portions 1 and '8.The metal of which the loop is formed preferably possesses slightresiliency, and the loop is normally open at one side of its wider endas indicated at l3, for a distance slightly less than the diameter ofthe rod portions 1 and 8. In this way, the lock is effectively retainedon the rod portions 1 and 8 unless the loop is forcibly expanded byseparation of its ends. Due to the resiliency of the loop, it may beforced on to the rod portions so as to cause the latter to pass into theloop at the point where the space I3 is provided. In this way, the lockmay be readily and quickly installed, although the loop will contact assoon as applied to the rod portions for being effectively retainedthereon.

The loop I I has an outwardly projecting finger piece [4 for use intilting said loop. As shown, this finger piece comprises an integralextension on one end of the loop, or of the strip from which the loop isformed.

In use, the finger piece I [may be pressed to readily tilt the lock tothe position of Figure 3 wherein the rod portions 1 and 8 are forcedinto tight frictional engagement with each other and thereby secured inrelatively adjusted position. When it is desired to relatively adjustthe rod portions, pressure is applied to the finger piece l4 so as totilt the lock to the position of Figure 4 wherein the rod portions arereleased from tight frictional engagement and even permitted to slightlyseparate for ready relative adjustment.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the construction,operation and advantages of the present invention will be readilyunderstood and appreciated by those skilled in the art. Minor changes indetails of construction are contemplated, such as fall within the spiritand scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A manually operable rod lock of the character described comprising anelongated open loop formed of a strip of relatively stifl resilientmetal and adapted to substantially completely embrace contiguousparallel portions of relatively adjustable rods so as to be retainedthereon, said loop including two side portions and two end portions andhaving a major axis of such length that the loop will press the rodsinto tight frictional engagement with each other when the loop is bodilytilted laterally f the rods in one direction to a position wherein suchmajor axis is in the same plane as the longitudinal axes of the rods,one side portion of the loop being extended laterally outward toincrease the width of the loop at one end so that the rods will bereleased from said frictional engagement when the loop is tiltedlaterally of the rods in the opposite direction to a position whereinsuch major axis is at an angle to such plane, and a projecting fingerpiece on one end of the loop.

2. The construction defined in claim 1, where-' in said one side portionis extended to form with an endportion of the loop an opening at saidone end of the loop which is of a size slightly less ,than the diameterof the rods so that the loop will be retained on the rods unless it isforcibly expanded.

3. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein the projecting fingerpiece is an inte ral extension on one end of the strip.

4. In combination with a pair of adjacent relatively slidable rodsections having overlapped portions, a manually operable lock for saidrod sections comprising means including an elongated at least partialloop embracing the overlapped portions of said rod sections so as to beretained thereon for locking said sections together, said loop beingbodily tiltable laterally of the rod sections in one direction to clampsaid rod sections together against relative movement and being bodilytiltable laterally of said rod sections in the opposite direction torelease said rod sections for free relative movement, one end of saidloop being of greater width than the other end thereof to permit thelateral tilting of said loop relative to said rod sections with one ofsaid rod sections acting as a fulcrum for the loop.

FRANK J. BOLEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: i

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 645,756 Puellmann Mar. 20, 19002,012,562 Gunn Aug. 27, 1935 2,074,475 Jesser Mar. 23, 1937 2,302,307Fernberg Nov. 17, 1942 2,332,855 Jones Oct. 26, 1943

